POLITICAL FUSION

Northern Advocate, 8 August 1931, Page 3

POLITICAL FUSION

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSION. PROPOSAL NOT FAVOURED. | There was a lively discussion at the | meeting of the Whaugarei Chamber of Commerce'' last evening, . when j the question of political fusion was j introduced. Combined with the more i serious side of the subject, a good Ideal of entertainment was occasioned. At the previous' meeting Mr E. H. Allan gave notice to move the following motion; “In view of the economic condition of the Dominion, and following the lead given by other chambers of commerce and business men’s associations in adopting the fusion proposals, that this chamber strongly urges the parties concerned to give serious consideration to the proposal.” Mr Allan, at the meeting last night, formally moved this motion. The mover said it must be evident to most people that fusion would effect a saving to the country. The sum of £75,000 to ho. raised by taxation was included in tne Bidget for the cost of the election. When men like Mr McKenzie, Auckland, Mr Roach, of Hastings, Mr McLennan, of Wellington, Mr McSkimming, of Balclutha, and other deep thinkers had given consideration tv the mattery there was a strong argument in its favour.

Mr J. E. Holmes asked if Mr Allan’s only point was that fusion would save an election and extend the life of Parliament by two years. 1

Mr G, S. B. Morrison seconded the motion. The matter of fusion, be said, had been given a. great deal of thought and quite' a number of chambers in New Zealand had voiced their opinion# in favour of it. It -seemed to him that when there were two parties in Parliament both representing tlie same interests, but kept apart really hy of jealousy, .the chamber should voice its opinions on the matter, especially when the country was going through the greatest crisis it had ever experienced. The country really needed a strong Parliament, but after the general election probably neither Reform or United would be able to carry on without the help of the other. In view of that, be seconded the motion.

Mr J. A. Finlaysbn asked if Mr Allan’s idea was the fusion of two parties, or did ho moan the formation of a national Government. Was Labour to be included, or did be merely mean an amalgamation of Reform and United? *

Mr Allan rep]ic’d that his idea, was the formation of a national Government, comprised of all parties, Mr Holmes pointed out that the seeondcr of the motion had not voiced that opinion. Ho had stated that Reform and United wore practically of the same political opinion, and should fuse; they, were kept apart by jealousies. However, Mr Allah had qualified his motion by including the Labour Party also. There was no community of ideas between the mover and seconder, Mr W. A, Colo wanted to know what the fusion proposals exactly were. The president (Mr T, Mitchell) said the matter had been mentioned in the Press many times, but had not been made very clear. * Mr Colo said that, members of the chamber, could not vote if they did not know what the fusion proposals were.

The President: I must put the onus on Mr Allan as to what the fusion proposals are. There have been many different interpretations of the proposals. ’ ’ He added that what was actually said about the proposal was very much in the air, and if anyone knew what the proposals wete it would form the basis of a discussion.

Mr C. V. Stringer said the first idea was that United and Reform should combine against Labour, The chamber was wasting time discussing, the question, as they would see that Mr Coates was placing no obstacles in the way of passing tne Budget. It would he better to leave the question alone.

Mr Crawford said the notice of motion advocated fusion, and the mover now recommended the formation of a National Government including Labour. There was a marked , difference between the two. Which motion were they to speak to? he asked.

Mr Holmes, at-this point, remarked, amid laughter: “Very few of" us want to miss the fun of an election,”

Mr Morrison said ho had seconded a motion in favour of fusion between Reform and United, and was not in favour of Labour having anything ito do 'With it. The Labour'Party was a bird of a different colour. The other .two parties had identical views. He did not think Mr Allan meant fully what he said when he brought the Labour Party into the proposal. Mr Allan pointed out that the discussion was taking party lines. At this lime of stress fusion would save the cost of an election. An election always brought depression, and surely they did not want any move. That was .<v®big point in favour of avoiding an election. The £BO,OOO odd to be spent on the election would provide 800 men with £2 per week? for 12 in on the. That was a further argument against an election. Mr D. .1. Finlayson said Mr Allan’s argument seemed to be one of economy, but there was such a thing as false economy, and h-a thought the £BO,OOO would be well spent. It. would also l»o unconstitutional and un-British to put off the election. He could not

think of anyone, asking the. people ■to do such a thing. He thought there was no weaker argument in favour of fusion than tin#.

Mr Holmes emphasised the constitutional aspect of the question. The constitution stated that Parliament must be dissolved after three years, and there was no power to alter it unless a special Act was put through the House,

Mr Crawford asked, if the life of Parliament was prolonged, what about the Labour and Country parties? Were they to have no say in the matter? The motion of which notice had been given advocated the fusion o'f two parties. He contended thal; it would be the electors who would say if there was to be fusion or not. It was unconstitutional for two parties not to allow any other to have a say in the matter. He thought it would be better to let the electors decide. It. was stated that other chambers had passed resolutions in favour of' fusion, but many individuals who advocated it had now repudiated that view. The fusion, movement was dying. It was very hike warm in -Auckland now, and it would be unwise for the chamber, on the eve of an election, to suggest anything of this kind. The leaders themselves were capable of deciding those big issues. Reform was assisting United to put through necessary legislation, reserving the right to make amendments' to various proposals., Reform was assisting to carry the country on to the next election. It would be unwise l for the chamber to express its opinion one way or the other. Mr Holmes: “Do you think it would influence them?” (Laughter.) Mr Crawford added that the people had the right to decide who was to govern the country, and the matter should be left there. A voice; “The whole country may be waiting for the views of the Whangaroi Chamber of Commerce.” (More lahglitor.) The President said he was sorry, there had not boon more prepared matter on the subject.' He outlined the history of the fusion movement, and said the whole matter was a very debatable one. Mr Allan, in reply, said he was sorry more prepared argument had not been produced, but the opposition was as guilty as he was. He remarked that many newspapers supported fusion, and, from the point of view of economy, there never was a time when it was more needed. The motion was then put and lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.